acrylic backsplash

After a false-start with flimsy Formica, we needed a more robust solution for our kitchen backsplash. We considered stacked white tile, but weren’t convinced. Instead, we revisited a material we’d used before, in England: acrylic. Looks like glass, but cheaper and easier to handle.

We’d be painting the reverse, so the finish is guaranteed. You can also pick any color –dangerous, with our record of indecision. We painted samples (muted greens and a grayish blue) and asked Instagram/Facebook friends for feedback. The verdict was clear…or rather blue.

We measured-up and ordered at TAP Plastics –helpful guys, who even got our names right…though they seemed puzzled by our choice of backsplash material. We assured them we knew what we were doing. Back at the ranch, we cut holes for electrical outlets –drilling the corners, then connecting the dots.

Important to do this before you paint, so you can see through the acrylic, to mark the holes –sounds obvious, but we almost forgot. Karen painted multiple coats, then we left to dry thoroughly. The blue came out just as we hoped. Be aware that colors appear slightly darker through the acrylic.

Next, we applied silicone to the wall –quickly, to allow maximum working time. Repetitive gun-squeezing is uncomfortable, so we took turns, until it was covered. This was Karen’s ‘go’ as I hastily snapped a blurry pic. You can see where we marked the top point in pencil, during a dry install.

No pics of the next stage, as we both positioned the acrylic, smoothing to ensure adhesion. A nervous moment, as you don’t have much time to work with. Once in place, we added outlet covers and switch plates –we stuck with our original gray, as it complements the blue nicely…we think.

We caulked the top of the backsplash, and also where it meets the counter. We installed ours behind, so we could replace the counters later, but it could also be placed on top. Finally, we touched up the white paint to cover those pencil marks (still visible below).

We’d recommend painting the wall (behind) the same color as the backsplash. We lost the tiniest (almost undetectable) speck of paint during install, and you can just make out some white, if you know where to look –painting the wall matching blue would have prevented this.

But we’re very happy. We love the color, the reflection, the smooth texture, and the ease of cleaning. We’ve lived with this for about a month, and it’s still like new. We realize the wall above it looks a little blank –we’re adding shelving (plus color-coordinated knick-knacks) later this week.

You’ll probably notice we painted the cabinets, in our dark gray beam color –they used to be a wishy-washy light gray. We like this much better. We’ve also made some functional improvements, including smarter internal storage. More on all that coming soon…

Thanks Julie –glad you like the look. The countertops were an opportunistic buy –$10 each from IKEA’s “as is” section! They were never meant to be a permanent solution, but we do like them. Only issue is they are eight feet long, and we needed ten on one side. We infilled with a section, but it bugs us (me, in particular). Otherwise, we’d probably keep them long term. Good luck with your kitchen project!

The backsplash looks great! I like the colour choice and it looks great with the darker cabinets.

We used Ikea Countertops as well as a temp fix and ended up with 2 seams on the same run. We ended up buying 2 extra large bamboo cutting boards from Ikea and we leave them over the seams to hide them slightly. We lucked out that the 2 spots we have the cutting boards are the 2 spots we prep food in the most so they don’t look too out of place.

Hey Brooke! Thanks, glad you like. Along the same lines, we did consider inserting a butcher block where the seam is (on the opposite side to above). But that would be above the dishwasher, and not where we (well, I) do prep. Also, having priced it up, we decided it would just be better to wait, and replace the counters.

It was 1/8″. We borrowed a neighbor’s truck and picked it up ourselves. One 8′ length (pictured) and a narrower strip (for the opposite side) at 10′. Pretty bendy at that length, so not too tricky to handle.

Hey Karolina! Pleased you like the changes. I’m liking the term “subtle bling” –I’ll have to use that. Yeah, I much prefer this gray. Can’t believe we didn’t pick it from the start…but at least we got there eventually.

Hi John. One day, our home may grace the pages of AR –we do speak to those guys occasionally. Our home looks good if you point the camera at the right spot, but we’re far from finished or article-ready. Cool that your living room featured –will take a look when our copy arrives.

Your kitchen looks great now and I love the backsplash. After you drilled the holes did you use a jigsaw to cut out for the outlets? Also did you use water based paint? I think we will try this in our daughter’s new kitchen. Thanks for all your info – great even though we don’t have an Eichler!

Thanks Wendy, pleased you like it. We just used a fine-blade hacksaw between the holes -we were worried about cracking, so preferred something slow and manual. The paint is Behr premium plus ultra (our go-to). Cool that you’re considering doing this. Let us know if you have further questions. And you are welcome! Thanks for following along.

Hi Julia. The edges were unfinished (we caulked those) and the thickness was 1/8″. I can’t recall the exact type, sorry. We went into the store and explained the application. I recall that our choices were limited, on account of needing a continuous 10 foot piece. We provided all the dimensions and our sheets were prepared for us.

At the risk of betraying myself as a complete copycat (I haven’t had an original thought in years), do you remember the specific blue-gray Behr Premium Plus Ultra color you used for the backsplash? It looks awesome.

Also, any concern about splashback/heat from your cooktop damaging the acrylic? I’m thinking of putting in a stainless steel section over the cooktop for that reason.

Ha! Thanks for the laugh, Steve! I can’t help you with color though –Karen mixed this one. There are similar-looking standard Behr options. Do bear in mind that the color is diluted when behind the acrylic –this started off much brighter.

We have an electric stove top (so minimal residual heat) and will eventually install induction. So the residual heat is minimal currently. Might be different with a gas top. You can get heat-resistant acrylic if that’s the case. Failing that, the stainless section is a good solution.

Happy we could provide some inspiration! Please let us know how you get on.

Thanks! It was a budget solution, but we wouldn’t change a thing. I guess glass itself would be better, but so much more difficult to handle. And we’d never have been able to install ourselves/do cutouts. Works for us!

I did this a while back. I’m wondering if you can see the sillicone behind the acrylic? It is very noticeable on mine and drives me crazy, but I would have to remove the walls to get the acrylic off because of all the sillicone!

Did you back paint it, or is it colored acrylic? We completed a similar project in the UK, with white acrylic, and didn’t back paint it. Sure enough, the silicone showed through, especially in the light. This time, we back painted, giving it a couple of coats. You can’t see a thing, even with light shined on it.

Hi Deirdre. Yes, it was mentioned on/by Apartment Therapy. We have honestly had zero issues with scratching. The surface cleans so easily, without using anything abrasive. Acrylic clearly isn’t as durable as glass, but it hasn’t deteriorated at all since install.

I am thinking about doing a glass backsplash in our upcoming kitchen renovation. I fell in love with the glass install over the wallpaper Sunset did in their idea house or some such things recently. I really like the idea of doing acrylic because we could do it ourselves and because our gas range sits on a peninsula, so it isn’t even close the backsplash. I saw in your recent comment that you were still loving it, just wondering if you have any other thoughts of ideas on it a few years post install?

Hi Emily! Glass over wallpaper is interesting, though the backsplash would need to be fixed to the wall in a different way. Sounds like acrylic would work for you guys, without any heat issues. We are still loving ours, for sure. So low maintenance, and no problems whatsoever. There’s honestly nothing we’d do differently for this install. Feel free to ask further questions.

Beautiful! Great instructions. We’re wanting to do a wall that is 106 inches. Most places online, including TAP, look like the longest panels come in 96”. Even the Cut to size options. Your panel looks longer. Did you custom order it? I’m trying to see if this is even an option for 106”. Thanks!

Hi Victoria. Glad you like it! From memory (we’ve since moved) the main panel (cooktop wall) was 96 inches. That said, the opposite side was 10 feet and I don’t recall having to special order it. Hope this works out for you.